Natural farming trials on apple showcased 

Solan, Sept. 08

Scientists from six universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and ICAR institutes were among the participants who visited the Regional Horticulture Research and Training Station, Mashobra of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry to learn about the successful natural farming trials in Apple.

The visit was part of the two-week national training on Natural farming being conducted by the University. The programme is being supported by the ICAR National Agricultural Higher Education Project’s Institutional Plan (NAHEP IDP) and scientists from Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal are taking part in the training.

The visit to Mashobra was undertaken to showcase the natural farming model developed by the university scientists for apple cultivation. Dr. Usha Sharma gave a detailed presentation on the different trials conducted by the university on apple under natural farming. A field visit to the natural farming apple demonstration orchard was also conducted. They were explained about the different vegetables like cabbage and beans and flowers like wild marigolds etc. which were grown under the multi-layered cropping system under this environmental farming methodology. The results of the trials were also shared with the trainees. Dr. Dinesh Thakur, Associate Director of RHRTS Mashobra also interacted with the trainees and gave them a brief background about the historical background of the station. The trainees were accompanied by Dr. Kuldeep Thakur.

A field visit to the farmer’s field in village Dhagogi was conducted where Mohan Verma, Khimi Devi and Kapil Verma showed their natural farming models for apple along with secondary crops like capsicum, beans, okra and cucumber grown by them to supplement their incomes. The farmers shared their experiences with the participants and told them how shifting to natural farming had helped them to improve their incomes.